Juniors deserve better

University dormitories are distinct and varied. From the junior apartments to the quad to Stanford hall, each building has a different atmosphere, giving the residents there a unique living experience. For the most part, students are aware of these differences in residence halls and are able to choose what kind of living experience they want. However, based on the limited space of certain dorms and the great disparity between residence halls for each grade, inevitably, other students are disappointed.

Freshman year is often a blind draw. For the most part, students coming to the University are not aware of the differences between dorms. With most freshmen living on South campus, however, the variations among dorms are less obvious because students have easy access to the other halls surrounding them. By sophomore year, students have a greater understanding of the living arrangements on campus. Because of the numerous available halls, second-year students are sure to find a place that is perfect for their living desires.

Students are guaranteed on-campus housing for three consecutive years, but it seems that juniors have less luck than underclassmen when it comes to appealing housing options. For juniors, the only choices are the West campus apartments and St. Mary’s. While it seems that these are reasonable choices – they are close together and St. Mary’s, while older and not as modern as the apartments, offers a viable alternative for those looking to live in singles – the truth is that the disparity between the two cannot be ignored. There are not enough apartments for all of the juniors who want them because many seniors are guaranteed housing (athletes, female engineers, etc.). For those denied an apartment, St. Mary’s is not an exciting option: students cannot live with the three (or four) roommates they had planned to in the apartments, and there is no kitchen or large common room. Sure, these students could move off campus, but junior housing is assigned so late in the year that most off-campus housing has already been taken by rising seniors.

Obviously, Residence Life can never satisfy the qualms of all students. However, it can attempt to remedy the problem created by the great discrepancy between the junior housing by assigning it earlier, giving students more of a chance to plan for possibly living off-campus. Or, certain apartments could be required to house five roommates. The newest apartments, those with two bedrooms and two full baths, can easily accommodate five students, and this would allow for more juniors to have their request for an apartment fulfilled. Living on campus is an experience most Villanova students cherish. Juniors deserve to have their last year of on-campus residence be the best one.